Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood. We’ve got a roundup of Virginia news coming right up.
But First…
Virginia Beach has canceled the July Fourth fireworks in two locations in order to keep residents safe and comply with social distancing orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. — WTOP
Five Things You Need to Know Today
- Virginia’s Coronavirus Cases Reach Over 40,000- There are currently 40,249 reported cases of coronavirus in Virginia, an increase of 945 or 2% since yesterday. So far, there are 4,385 people who have been hospitalized and 1,281 people who have died due to the virus, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The VDH has also reported 275,074 people have been tested for COVID-19 across the commonwealth. — Dogwood
- Accomack, Northern Virginia and Richmond Move into Phase One on Friday- Accomack County, Northern Virginia and Richmond are set to enter Phase One of Gov. Ralph Northam three-step reopening plan. These areas previously received two-week delays due to these areas’ high concentration of coronavirus cases, particularly Northern Virginia. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney requested a modified Phase One but was denied. — WAVY
- Del. Carroll Foy Announces Her Bid to Become Virginia Governor- Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William) formally announced her campaign to become governor of Virginia Wednesday. If she wins, she would become the first woman governor in commonwealth history and the first black, female governor in the United States. In her campaign video, Carroll Foy describes how the pandemic has revealed several issues in Virginia that she has made her top priority. — Dogwood
- Northern Virginia Lacks COVID-19 Testing and Tracing Supplies- While Northern Virginia begins to enter Phase One later this week, public health officials warn the region does not have enough supplies to test and trace people potentially infected with COVID-19. Northern Virginia accounts for 52% of the state’s confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths. The region’s leaders sent Northam a letter stating that they’ve met four of the benchmarks to move into Phase One. — The Roanoke Times
- Judge to Decide Whether Virginia’s Absentee Ballot Plan is Unconstitutional- An Alexandria judge will be asked whether Virginia’s emergency absentee voting plan is unconstitutional. According to Attorney General Mark Herring, the lawsuit is a Republican ploy to force residents to vote in person during the coronavirus pandemic or be forced to not vote at all. Voting absentee has been strongly encouraged by elected officials in order to prevent further spread of COVID-19. — WTOP
